Maybe the name is not very original, but let me assure you that my opinions on the beer are. If you are not shy of trying new beer, I am quite sure that I will have something for you.

Montag, 5. Februar 2018

The Place and The Beer 8: Ratsherrn Brauerei, Hamburg, Germany

Brewery
Tour at Ratsherrn Brewery Hamburg.

This
is a post of shame.

Because,
I have made the Tour at the end of 2016 and never had a chance to write this
post.

Still,
this was bugging me, therefore here we go.

I
was always jealous about Rattshern. Living for 16 years in Germany, I have spent
my life in the areas on middle/middle south Germany who didn’t give a damn about
the craft revolution. Trust me, even in 2015 the area north of Frankfurt was
craft beer desert. Still today, Frankfurt am Main, the financial center and one
of the biggest cities in Germany hosts the amazing number of 2 crafts breweries
(all local craft beer lovers, please accept my condolences).

And
then, all the time, I have heard about the Ratsherrn brewery from Hamburg. They
produce Pale Ales, Porters and everything. God, I was so jealous. Especially,
because they were no accessible in the area.

It is
a paradox, that I have first managed to get to Hamburg when in living Belgium.
Still a brewery visit was a must. I have booked a tour containing brewery and
tasting at the end.

Here
some facts:

Brewery
is in Sternschanze district of Hamburg. Close enough to get there from city center.
Close to the S-bahn station.

Rattshern
use to be a traditional local Pils that went down. Current brewery kept the
name but represents rather modern style brewing. In its current form, Rattshern runs since
2012. Head brewer is Thomas Kunst and Ian Pyle is responsible for special
brews.

They
brew craft beer for broader publicity. At the moment of my tour their “hardest”
beer was about 80 IBU (West Coast IPA?).

Tour
itself is great, the guide not only shows the brewery, but he will also show
all steps of beer brewing. Bonus for me: a chance to briefly talk with Ian who
was just working in the brewery at the same time

The
girl running the brewery tour was amazing. Very talkative, interactive and
professional. I rarely have seen so enthusiastic tour guide in my life.

Beer
tasting great addition. We have got a movie presenting history of the brewery
and then were guided through several beers from various styles. There was
enough time for trying, making up your mind and talking to other people.

After so long time, it is difficult to write about beer. One thing
is clear – I wasn’t disappointed. Still, I have decided to present two
allrounders from Ratsherrn – worth drinking if you have a chance.

BALTIC
PORTER

Simple,
drinkable example of the style. Dark brown, tan head. Aromas of roasted malt
and tiny leftovers of yeast. Flavor of coffee and malts. Clean, tasty and worth
giving anybody. Especially dedicated to people who want to start tasting beers,
but don’t want to be scared by a double-barrel-aged-triple-hoppled-imperial-porter
(or so).

PALE
ALE

Classical
beer from Ratsherrn follows the same rule. Aromatic, fruity, hoppy. More bitter
than your regular Pils, but not bitter enough to scare the masses. Perfect
entry beer, but good enough to satisfy most of the geeks.

Summarizing - great tour with good beer. Worth attending if you make it to Hamburg.